It is likely that Iloilo Second District Representative Michael Gorriceta will run for reelection unopposed in the May 2022 elections.

Less than three weeks before the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs), no names have surfaced as possible opponents of Gorriceta next year.

In an interview on IMT Conversations, Gorriceta said he has no idea at all who will run against him.

“Wala ko idea. Wala pa man ako may nabatian nga ngalan so wala pa,” he said.

Once reelected, Gorriceta will serve his second consecutive term as representative of the district.

In 2019, the then mayor of Pavia town defeated former Sta. Barbara Mayor Dennis Superficial whose candidacy was supported by Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr.

Superficial is said to be eyeing a political comeback in 2022 by challenging the reelection bid of Mayor Rema Somo.

According to Gorriceta, he and Defensor have not yet discussed about the the mayoralty race in Santa Barbara.

“Wala pa namon naistoryahan ni Gov. Defensor. Possible suportahan man ni Gov. Defensor kay ako bilang kaalyado ko si Mayor Rema Somo, buligan ko man sya,” he said.

Meanwhile, Gorriceta disclosed that the current mayors of San Miguel, Pavia, Leganes and Leon will seek reelection.

For the vice mayoral candidates in the second district, if not most are taking reelection, in some towns like in San Miguel, Zarraga, and New Lucena are yet to decide.

In Alimodian, three-termer Mayor Geefre “Kalay” Alonsabe will run for vice mayor while Vice Mayor Ian Kenneth Alfeche will run for mayor.

In New Lucena, Gorriceta said hewill leave it among the local officials themselves to decide who would they field to run.

In Zarraga, Mayor John Tarrosa is also set to end his last term. Gorriceta said Tarrosa has already informed him of his intention to retire from politics.

The town’s current vice mayor, Joefel Marañon, is stepping forward to seek the mayoral post.

Gorriceta noted that it is the local chief executives who will take the lead in coming up with their respective sets of Sangguniang Bayan members.

“Itugyan naton sa mga local chief executives ang pagpili sa pagtan-aw nila makabulig sa ila sa konseho,” the congressman said.IMT